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Colorectal Cancer
What is Colorectal cancer?
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States, surpassed only by lung cancer. Every year, 35,000 lives could be saved by early diagnosis of colorectal cancer. It has been well documented that most colorectal cancer begins in small polyps or growths that at the start are normal. It takes 5 to 10 years for these normal polyps to develop into colorectal cancer. If these polyps can be found early and removed, colorectal cancer may be prevented. Polyps found in the lower part of the bowel may be associated with polyps higher up in the bowel or with other cancers. Therefore, this procedure may identify those patients who need a more detailed procedure called colonoscopy. If all polyps are removed and a regular screening program is started, the chance of colorectal cancer is greatly decreased.
Virtual Colonoscopy could be used as a non-invasive method to screen for colorectal cancer instead of more traditional methods such as colonoscopy. Virtual colonoscopy uses computed tomographic (CT) images to create a 3-D image of the colon or potentially any other lumen (hollow space) within the body.
Learn more about colorectal cancer at the Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest University. As a national leader in cancer care & research and ranked among the best treatment facilities in the country, it is one of only 38 cancer centers in the nation designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as a Comprehensive Cancer Center. NCI designation is an assurance of excellent care and comprehensive treatment options, including access to the latest clinical trials.
Colorectal Cancer
Copyright: Wake Forest University School of Medicine
and North Carolina Baptist Hospital. All rights reserved.
Medical Center Boulevard
Winston-Salem, NC 27157
(336) 716-2011 |
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